Cool Random Links of the Moment

Here are some cool links that I've found or discovered that don't have much to do with each other or anything, just that they are cool. So, here they are with descriptions beside them.

• TV Links: A collection of television shows that you can watch online. The site is essentially a directory of a collection of a variety of different shows that range from regular comedies, sitcoms, dramas, and cartoons from recent to old and anime. The site doesn't actually host the shows itself, it just links to them on one of the many various video sites that have sprung up lately in the wake of all the Youtube clones. However, I have a feeling that once the copyright owners see this, they will probably have a fit, so this site might not be around for very much longer, so enjoy it while you can. UPDATE 11/30: As predicted, this site is down. However, a mirror has popped up, along with a discussion about the original site.
  
• RetailMeNot: This is by the creators of the popular username sharing site, BugMeNot. It's got a similar concept in that it works off user contributions. But, RetailMeNot has coupons for sites, and not logins. So, the next time you want to buy something from a retailer, like Amazon for example, just type in the site name and you'll get back a list of coupons that are available. InboxDollars has a similar list of coupons and rebates from companies it's affiliated with, but are only available if you're a member. On InboxDollars, you have a listing of hundreds of companies and a discount you'll get when using them. Both are free services.
• HardToFind800Numbers: Basically, the name says it all. This site contains a collection of phone numbers for companies that generally don't list their phone number, or hide it very deeply. Although the site is small, anyone can help by submitting numbers for companies they've found. If you need to call PayPal or Yahoo you can find their number here.
• OldVersion.com: If you've ever been looking for an older version of some software you're using, this is the place to find it. OldVersion keeps copies of older versions of a lot of popular software hosted on it's own servers, so the links will always be good. Some of the software there is there because maybe the newer versions of software that still work perfectly well have added features that you may not like. Other software, like Napster, I assume is just kept their for historic purposes, like a software museum, of sorts.
• Optimize Guides: This is a very well put together site with guides for helping PC users to Optimize XP and Windows 2000. It includes tips, free software, guides, and a list of myths that are debunked. It also contains a section on Firefox myths, which is a bit controversial and not all people agree with. However, most of these myths are technically true, I still find Firefox my preferred browser, even over Opera or IE7, if nothing else, for the fact that it has a huge collection of free extensions.
• NOD32 Online Virus Scanners List: A well maintained list of all the best free online virus scanners. It contains scanners for a variety of potentially malicious viruses, trojans, spyware and others. Most of the scanners require IE and ActiveX, but it's always good to have these available, even when you have anti-virus software installed, so you can scan your system and get a second opinion. Try scanning with ewido or Panda, you'll probably find something that your regular scanner hasn't found.
• ThingsYouNeverKnewExisted.com: You might have seen their catalog, or remember this company from when you were a kid. I used to love to order stuff from TYNKE, most of which was weird, whacky or just junk. They have all sort of joke and gag items, magic stuff, and all sorts of other neat things you don't particularly need, but would like to have. Just looking through their catalog is fun, you can order a free one today.
• MenuetOS: This is a nifty little operating system that has a lot of features and is written in pure assembly language, something you don't see much today. But what's really novel about it is the fact that it will fit on a 1.44MB floppy. You have to see it to believe it, if you your computer still has a floppy drive, that is. Another cool portable operating system is PCLinuxOS which you can download as an ISO and burn it to a CD-R, and then boot to it. It includes all the tools you would need to run a full fledged operating system, but you don't need to install it at all, although you have the option to do so. It's got a very simple Windows like interface, so anyone could use it. Try it out if you've ever been curious about Linux but didn't want to or didn't know how to install it.
• FunTrivia.com: Like trivia? If so, or any type of word games, crosswords, check out FunTrivia. They have a quiz on just about any topic in existence, and it's easy to take them or create your own and accrue up points to move up the ladder and challenge other members. Any topic you know about, they most likely have a quiz about it - check it out and see what you come up with!
• Streamload: Want 25GB (yes, that's GIGABYTES) of free storage online that you can share with your friends? Streamload offers it! Great for backing up online files. Xdrive, recently purchased by AOL, offers a similar solution, but only has 5GB. Xdrive has the plus of coming with software that allows you to schedule backups and acts as a separate drive letter too.
• vNES: The virtual NES emulator that has a collection of online ROMs that you can play through a Java console in your browser, without having to download an emulator or hunting around for ROMs. Very cool and fun, but like the TV shows site, might not last too long.
• SDF Free Public UNIX Shell: Remember the days of having a UNIX shell with your ISP or hosting account? Maybe not, but if you do you'll appreciate this site. The SDF gives away free UNIX shells which you can maintain if you donate $2 through the mail or $36 PayPal. If you don't want to pay, you can use it just to learn the experience of what a UNIX shell account holds. They have tons of apps installed and you can do most everything you can do on any shell account (with the exception of running eggdrop bots and trying to crack passwords, of course).
• Free Linux Disks: The FLD project gives away free Linux CDs of most of the popular editions of Linux, including SUSE, Fedora, Mandriva (formally Mandrake), Gentoo, Debian, Knoppix, and Ubuntu.

Well, that's all the links for today. If you have any other cool links to share, feel free to post them under the comments or email them to me. Enjoy!